One of four men accused of killing Italian waiter Joele Leotta claimed he knew nothing about the attack, a court heard yesterday.

Aleksandras Zuravliovas told police he went to flats at Lower Stone Street in Maidstone to see a friend and ended up being struck on the head.

When asked if he assaulted Mr Leotta, the 27-year-old Lithuanian gave a prepared statement the day after Mr Leotta was fatally injured in an alleged group attack at his bedsit above Vesuvious restaurant in Lower Stone Street on October 20 last year.

Joele Leotta

It read: “Last night I cannot recall much. I attended Lower Stone Street and the next thing I know I received a heavy blow to my head and was rendered unconscious.”

Zuravliovas’ solicitor advised him to exercise his right to silence and say “no comment”, but he continued to answer questions.

He said he popped into the building to see his friend Lucas and was hit as he left to go home to his girlfriend by 8pm.

Flowers left outside the Vesuvius Restaurant where Joele Leotta was fatally injured

“I remember it was some sort of conflict, but I don’t understand,” he continued. “I was drunk. I heard something like ‘Italia, Italia’ from the second floor I think.

“I think I replied: ‘What Italia?’ Somebody opened the door and hit me on the head with a stick. I don’t remember this moment clearly.”

Prosecutor Philippa McAtasney QC said both men were “punched, kicked and hit with whatever came to hand”, including a metal pole, a mop handle and a broom at their room above the Italian restaurant where they worked as waiters.

Villagers let off lanterns in memory of Joele Leotta the night before his funeral